text:
Many sponsors have the misconception that Compassion runs schools. We do not. However, we do facilitate a holistic child development program that complements and supplements the school systems in the countries we works in.
My country's (Kenya) education system has been heavily influenced by the British system. Students have eight years of primary school, four years of high school, and four years in an undergraduate program at a university.
It is a requirement for all Compassion-assisted children, regardless of country, to attend the normal school system while they participate in activities at their child development centers. In Kenya, the Compassion programs are most commonly conducted on Saturdays. Because public schoool runs Monday through Friday, the children are easily available for the center activities.
The purpose of our Christian child sponsorship program is to help children to become "responsible and fulfilled Christian adults." Our Implementing Church Partners (ICPs) are encouraged to be creative in the ways they administer the program, but we also provide age-graded curriculum to help each church partner minister to their children consistently.
The age-graded curriculum is based on the outcomes we hope to see in children in the four facets of development: spiritual, physical, cognitive and socio-emotional.
The spiritual domain of the activities at child development centers includes praise and worship, testimonies from children, various presentations such as memory verses, short sermons, and prayers. The implementers ensure that children are actively involved and are exhibiting understanding of the Bible and the essence of prayer and service. During special occasions, the implementers invite outside facilitators.
Our public school system has designated days for pastoral programs. Certain teachers or the school chaplain take the students through devotion that lasts for about half an hour. Each student attends devotion, depending on his or her faith.
In our sponsorship program, the physical well-being of the children is addressed through various activities depending on the resources available at the development center. Soccer is a popular sport for boys, while volleyball and netball are popular with girls. Some church partners have swings, table tennis and board games that engage the kids during breaks.
In the physical realm, the most significant difference from the schooling system is that we provide medical intervention for the sponsored children. The health of the child is monitored on a regular basis through health screenings. Public schools tend to offer first-aid intervention, while the parent/guardian takes care of any other expenses incurred at the local health facility.
In addition, public schools rarely offer nutritional supplements to children with deficiencies. We, on the other hand, provide nutrition education as well as nutritious food during program days.
Social-emotional interaction is paramount for the well-being of every child, especially children growing up in dangerous environments. Compassion-assisted children are given opportunities to interact in a more meaningful way than in a school. The activities provided are a fertile ground for enhancing one's self-esteem and dignity.
Our children are encouraged to interact from a biblical perspective, and high standards of morality are advocated. The curriculum taught at the development centers lays a good foundation for self-awareness and reflection. It helps the children to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses and how to best cultivate their God-given gifts.
The concept of stewardship is taught, helping them to be aware of their responsibility to the community. Vocational Bible studies, youth camps and seminars, drama clubs, and other creative arts, picnics, and inter-partner competitions offer opportunities to practice what they have learned.
Our goal of leading children along the path of economic independence compels implementers to help children complete the various stages of education. The unfortunate thing about public school systems is the difficulty of trying to update the curriculum to fit emerging trends. Much of the material is very dated and not relevant to children's daily challenges.
Our curriculum is customized and targeted to the children in their various environments. In case the child does not continue to secondary education, vocational skills are available both at the development center and in a few institutions that can help the child become economically self- supporting. The young people learn income-generating activities, such as soap making, mat weaving, tailoring, cookery and beadwork.
Community service helps children experience the joy of giving back. The young ones in the sponsorship program are encouraged to engage in community cleanups on designated days. More often than not, they help clean the church premises for Sunday services. They also clean their own classrooms, and plant and water flowers and trees within the church compound. Older kids sometimes visit the sick and elderly in the hospital to pray for and encourage them.
Public school systems generally don't provide for such opportunities, as the main focus is academics. The children also receive more attention at their development centers, as the teacher-student ratio in Kenya's public schools can be as high as 1 to 80.
Compassion also offers holiday programs to the children. The usual school holidays in Kenya take place in April, August and December. The monthlong breaks separate the school terms, providing opportunities for children to rest and spend time with their families.
However, the competitiveness of the schooling system has forced many schools to conduct holiday sessions that offer specialized training. The schools then continue with the normal curriculum and children have to pay an extra admission fee, exam fee and catering fee.
During this same time, the majority of Compassion Kenya's child development centers conduct remedial classes for their children for free. Holiday sessions at the development centers continue to supplement what takes place in school. An added advantage is the provision of textbooks and an environment in which to study.
Normally, remedial classes last about two weeks of the holiday. Part-time teachers collaborate with the child development workers to help students, especially those in upper primary school and candidates waiting to take their exams. Over and above class work, these students are engaged in the normal Saturday program activities and are provided with nutritious meals during the day.
During normal school days, many children attend the development center in the evenings for group learning and review. With the help of part-time teachers, they review past papers to test their knowledge and become familiar with the most critical topics.
Most children we serve attend government schools; however, some of our church partners do run their own schools. These schools are not affiliated with Compassion, but are the property of the church partners. In these circumstances, we run our own program parallel to what takes place in the school. This way, the children benefit from both the school activities as well as the sponsorship program.
In these situations, most of the Compassion-assisted children usually attend the church school. It is important for the school and the sponsorship program to work together to maximize instruction.
While the school program incorporates both the Compassion-assisted and non-assisted children and focuses mainly on academics, the sponsorship program concentrates on holistic child development.
School activities are usually funded primarily through school fees paid by individual pupils through their guardians and other donors. On the contrary, our sponsorship program depends largely on donor funding and minimal contributions from parents.
In the event a child's parent is unable to sustain a school fee payment, the child no longer benefits from the program offered by the school. But our program continues to offer services to the assisted children and their families without attaching monetary requirements to it.
While typical school systems in the developed world don't serve children's non-academic needs, we not only address the academic but also the socio-emotional and physical, and most important, we bring the children the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Our model focuses on the child's here and now, as well as the future. This perspective is different from most schools. Schooling systems do a great job of engaging children and molding their way of thinking, preparing them for the "world out there," but we prepare children to deal with their daily struggles, as well as focus on the envisioned future.


text:
This collage shows the relative sizes of the original three dwarf planets (Eris, Ceres, and Pluto) as compared to Earth. It also shows Pluto's large moon Charon (and its two small moons Nix and Hydra) and Eris's moon Dysnomia to scale. The image also shows Earth's Moon (Luna) and the planet Mars for comparison. None of the distances between objects in this image are to scale.
Images courtesy of NASA, ESA, JPL, and A. Feild (STScI).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
It's only natural at this time of year for us all to get a bit reflective. So, at a time when the Internet is poised to go crazy with nostalgia for the last eleven and a bit months, it seems fitting to devote this installment of Drowned in Newcastle to an attempt to round up all of the great stuff which has happened in our music scene over the course of 2011. And it really has been a fantastic year, one which has seen a few of our bands take massive strides out into national consciousness, and dozens of them move closer to that stage with a cavalcade of brilliant music.
First though, the dying embers of 2011...
December 16th sees NARC's annual Stars in their Eyes Christmas party hitting the Cluny. It's going to be quite a spectacle seeing O'Messy Life tackling Andrew WK, Baskins Wish as Weezer, Grandfather Birds as The Cure, and Young Legionnaire being joined by some pals to have a crack at Nirvana. The following Sunday most of Newcastle's best and brightest will clamber on the bus to Warkworth for the seventh edition of Out of the Trees, featuring, among others, Withered Hand, Nev Clay, Fantasy Rainbow, and a reprise of the recent A Woman of No Importance reunion. If you've still got any energy after that weekend, I can't recommend the triple header of B>E>A>K, Warm Digits and Young Liar at the Cluny the next night highly enough.
It's been a good year for...
2011 has seen the likes of Lanterns on the Lake reaching a new audience thanks to their hook-up with Bella Union (a perfect fit if ever there was one), and the resulting album Gracious Tide, Carry Me Home was as good as their early EPs encouraged us to hope, perfectly encapsulating their killer blend of cinematic expansiveness and bleary-eyed beauty.
Another band to whom this year has been kind is Vinyl Jacket . They've had two extremely well received singles (the second of which, 'Koala', was BBC Introducing's most played track of 2011 across the UK), and went down a storm when they played at Glastonbury this year. It's not too hard to see why, either, because their songs are ridiculously catchy and infinitely likeable.
Similarly, as we mentioned last time out, Let's Buy Happiness have also gone from strength to strength this year. They're picking up some pretty enviable gigs at the minute, including a slot supporting Primal Scream last month, and it's all down to their gorgeous warm pop songs.
LBH Player by letsbuyhappiness
The best of 2011 in records...
So while we've got a few Newcastle bands nicely poised to assault national consciousness, 2011 has also seen strong releases from plenty of bands who seem poised to follow in the footsteps of Lanterns et al. My shameless adoration of The Union Choir has been documented here a couple of times, and right now I can think of precious few bands from this area I'd rather listen to or see. 2011 saw their first full release in the shape of 'Eleanor', a release which, like a true classic single, featured two b-sides which were just as strong as the a-side. And they've ended this year on a high note by releasing free download single 'Scissors and Sellotape'. It's absolutely gorgeous too, an achingly pretty torch song which, without seeming to try, captures the happy-sadness of the Festive period utterly perfectly.
The Union Choir - Scissors and Sellotape by Cottage Industries
Mammal Club provided another highlight of 2011 with their Au EP back in April. They're clearly ridiculously talented musicians, as is exemplified by their tight as fuck live sets, and Au is impressive in its execution. With another release this strong next year, it's not hard to imagine such an intricately melodic band having people falling at their feet.
Mammal Club - The Au EP by everybodysstalking
At the other end of the scale, Acrobatic Society's Meat Meets Meat EP, released towards the end of the year, sticks out from much of the rest of what's going on up here, its endearing (and deceptively well-controlled) looseness making it tough to draw any kind of comparisons with any other bands either local or further afield. The launch gig for the EP at a rammed Head of Steam was one of the best gigs I've been to this year too.
MEAT MEETS MEAT EP by Acrobatic Society
It's taken forever to arrive but Minotaurs' debut album Eat Yr Hate was absolutely worth the wait. They've already gone to ground again, hopefully to return at some point, but this time at least they've left us with this bundle of perfectly-pitched, beautiful songs for sustenance, along with the fading memories of that triumphant balmy night at the Cluny in September.
Minotaurs 02 Anyone who had a Heart by Cottage Industries
Finally, even though I feel like I mention them every couple of months, it'd be lax to mention this year's best local releases without touching on Young Liar's debut EP again. I've probably listened to it more than any other Newcastle-born record this year, its combination of gorgeously intricate instrumentation and guttural brutality making it absolutely moreish.
Best Gigs
I need to go all the way back to February for my favourite gig of this year, but the memories are still vivid. Efterklang's trip to the small room of the Sage was absolutely life-affirming stuff. It was one of those nights that transcend mere gigging, and become something that stays with you forever. Even though I've never been a massive fan of Magic Chairs as a follow-up to Parades, it all came to life that night, and it was always going to be impossible to top. For much different reasons, though, Dananananaykroyd's farewell gig at the Cluny a few weeks ago came close. It was sad to see them go, but any regret was usurped by the sheer visceral shouty fun which left the Cluny bruised, sweaty and breathless.
Earlier in the year we talked about Month of Fridays, which took over the Cluny and Cluny 2 for five weeks in September, and it proved responsible for some pretty amazing nights, with Clock Opera proving to be the pick of the bunch. Hopefully there'll be a repeat of this series at some point in 2012. As amazing as the Cluny venues are though, sometimes it feels like gig scene around here revolves almost exclusively around them, so if for any reason they weren't there, I cant help but worry about how much our area's live music scene would suffer. So with that being the case, it's been nice to see Gateshead Town Hall emerging as an unexpectedly good place to see bands, with Battles' brilliant gig there last month firmly cementing its place as an important venue.
Aside from all these, we've also been lucky enough to enjoy wonderful gigs from Mountain Goats, Slow Club, Josh T. Pearson and Sufjan Stevens. With the likes of Explosions in the Sky and Errors already in the schedules for next year, I'm hopeful for another year as good as this.
Gone but not forgotten...
While Minotaurs' status is tantalisingly unsure, 2011 has seen Cult Image sadly announce their split, and we've also lost Get Involved who bowed out the same night as Dananananaykroyd after a few phenomenal years of gig promotion. At least Waiting For Winter's departure from the scene seems to be temporary rather than permanent.
Keep an eye out for...
So apart from all these bands I've eulogised already, if there's any justice in the world then 2012 will see people like The Lake Poets, Ajimal, O'Messy Life and Brilliant Mind build on the profiles they've already built up. Add to that artists who are just starting to emerge, like Natasha Haws, Nately's Whore's Kid Sister and Weird Shapes (Teessiders, as it happens, but brilliant nonetheless), and you've got a strong case to argue that the scene in Newcastle and its environs is healthier than it has been for years. Here's to 2012.


text:
"All of us will always owe him everything." -- Glenn Kenny on Andrew Sarris, quoting Jean-Luc Godard on Orson Welles
Andrew Sarris, "who loved movies" (as Roger Ebert described him), was long considered the "dean of American film critics." Reading the accounts and appreciations of him today, I was surprised to see how many people perpetuated the myth that Sarris and Pauline Kael were like the print era's Siskel & Ebert who, instead of facing off with each other over new movies on TV week after week, carried on a robust public debate about auteurism and film theory for decades. That didn't happen. And that mischaracterization does a disservice to Sarris, to Kael and to Siskel & Ebert, all of whom were taking their own distinctive and original approaches to movie reviewing and criticism. I think what's most important on the occasion of Sarris's passing is to acknowledge that his substantial critical legacy cannot be defined in terms of anything Pauline Kael wrote about him and the politique des auteurs in 1963 -- and certainly not in the way his and the Cahiers du Cinema critics' views were misrepresented in Kael's famous snipe, "Circles and Squares: Joys and Sarris."
Let's get this straight: Sarris, who had spent some time in France and acquainted himself with the Cahiers du Cinema critics (Andre Bazin, Godard, Truffaut, Chabrol, Rivette, Rohmer, et al.), published an essay in Film Culture called "Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962" (download .pdf here). In it he set out to explain the French notion of what he called "auteurism" for an American audience.*
Kael responded with "Circles and Squares" and thereafter Sarris panned her first collection, I Lost it at the Movies. (He also dismantled her slipshod "Raising Kane" essay in 1971, as did many others.) There was no lengthy, ongoing public debate or exchange of ideas between Sarris and Kael themselves from then on. So, the false nostalgia for the great days of "Kael vs. Sarris" is baffling. Yes, as many have said, some people sorted themselves into "camps" -- the so-called "Paulettes" (as they were known primarily by those who saw them as Kael's sycophants) and the auteurist-oriented "Sarristes" -- but in terms of aesthetics or theory or ideology, what did they really represent? Kael's pals vs. auteurism? Visceral responses vs. hierarchical categorization? Dionysian vs. Apollonian criticism? Philistinism vs. academia? It was never that simple.
And should Sarris or Kael really be defined by what "side" some other people imagined themselves to be on? There's no question that many critics and cinephiles passionately identified with Team Pauline or Team Andrew, and felt there was much at stake in how they defined themselves against their real or fantasy rivals, but the "team captains" weren't actually out there on the field of public discourse leading the charge, no matter what they may have said in their respective locker rooms.
When Kael died in 2001, Sarris wrote in the New York Observer:
I am always being asked to appear on panels bemoaning the state of contemporary film criticism when compared with the supposed golden age of the nouvelle vague and the Kael-Sarris contretemps. I always pour cold water on these projects by asserting, as I do now, that film criticism today is far superior to what it was back in the supposed golden age of the Kael-Sarris cat-and-dog fight, when two comparatively provincial and unsophisticated careerists -- one in San Francisco and the other in New York -- collided in a maze of misunderstandings that concealed the fact that they were both consumed by movies with much the same emotional intensity. So which of us was proven right in the long run? In the long run, as John Maynard Keynes or someone once said, we are all dead.
In 2011 Sarris recommended five books of film criticism for The Browser -- by Bazin, James Agee, Robert Warshow, Manny Farber and David Thomson. Of Warshow he said:
Warshow focused on the "immediate experience" of the viewer -- how a movie moved a man. He, in fact, preferred the term "movie" to the more highfalutin "film." He suggested that we should judge films based on the emotional effect they have on us.
Hmmm. Who does that sound like? And of Bazin's classic "What is Cinema?" he said:
Auterism acknowledged that the director was the dominant personality in films and that films reflected a director's vision. That was how it changed the trajectory of criticism. It was accused of ignoring every other contributor and technician involved in film -- unfairly so.
Auteurism helped us understand that a director's work should be judged on its artistry rather than its subject matter. Before I became familiar with the work of Bazin, I felt that film had to be ambitious and socially conscious to be valuable. Bazin and Cahiers helped me realize that cinema was sui generis, that film didn't have to prove its social relevance, and that film should be judged on its own terms. But back then, bucking mainstream American criticism and showing appreciation for commercial pictures was a risky proposition.
And he concluded:
All critics were in some sense consumer guides. There is nothing wrong with being a consumer guide. I know that the term is used in derogation. But the best writers were also the best consumer guides.
What Kael wrote in "Circles and Squares" (which she did not select for inclusion in her collection, For Keeps) seemed to me like a willful misreading of Sarris's case, playing semantic games with straw dog arguments. In reality, I think the "debate," such as it wasn't, was over before Kael ever published her piece. After all, as she would continue to prove for the rest of her career, she was an auteurist through-and-through. She always wrote about films in terms of their directors, whether she loved them (Peckinpah, Altman, De Palma) or hated them (Oliver Stone, Sidney Lumet) or changed her mind about them.
As Sarris recalled in a 2009 New York Times interview, it wasn't a two-sided argument: There was Sarris, Kael, Farber, John Simon, Stanley Kauffmann...
"We were so gloriously contentious, everyone bitching at everyone. We all said some stupid things, but film seemed to matter so much. Urgency seemed unavoidable."
Now that is something real, and worth treasuring. Read Sarris's writing. He expanded his Film Culture pieces (including a 1963 piece called "The American Cinema") into the incalculably influential The American Cinema: Directors and Directions, 1927-1968, in which he sorted directors' work into various categories ("Less Than Meets the Eye," "The Far Side of Paradise," "Strained Seriousness") -- including his personal pantheon. Get ahold of Confessions of a Cultist: On the Cinema, 1955-1969, The Primal Screen: Essays on Film and Related Subjects (1973) and Politics and Cinema (1978) and you'll see he was no dry dogmatist (he did love his alliteration, though).
Richard Brody (no Paulette he) wrote** Wednesday in The New Yorker:
From the time the idea of the auteur crossed the ocean, in the early sixties, to this day--thanks mainly to Sarris--it has been consistently misunderstood by its detractors, in part because of Sarris's linguistic peccadillo. He referred to the "auteur theory," as if it was something that could be proved. The phrase that the French critics used for their idea was la politique des auteurs. It was a "policy," not a rule, and a "politics," because it was aimed at power. These critics didn't only seek the widespread recognition of the directors they admired but (as Jean-Luc Godard told me in 2000) thought they were, in a way, prolonging the French Resistance "against a certain sort of occupation, in the cinema, by people who had no business being there." They were both asserting a living pantheon of filmmakers they admired and seeking to throw out interlopers in order to make a place for themselves in the film industry (thus the invective). [...]
If auteurism were nothing other than the recognition of arcane patterns across a director's body of work, it would have had a short and obscure run. But in fact, its power comes from its inspiration of artists.
In his forward to the 2001 collection "Directed by Allen Smithee," edited by Jeremy Braddock and Stephen Hock, Sarris (in an avuncular and effusive mood) magnificently summed up his own legacy:
After more than forty years of polemics, I have reached the state where I am regarded as too much of an academic for the journalists and too much of a journalist for the academics. And so if I seem glib, blame the journalist in me, and if I seem pompous, blame the academic in me. When James Agee wrote his first movie column for The Nation, he described his relation to the movies as that of an amateur. That is what I am also, a lover of the magical medium that has enthralled me since early childhood, and will do so till the day I die. I know most of it is artistically worthless, but that doesn't matter, because the cinema, at least that part of it that relies on live action cinematography and narrative, is not entirely art at all. Too much of living, breathing, aging and dying reality seeps into its pores for it to be studied as congealed creation. [...]
I have no idea anymore where I belong on the critical scene, or where I want to belong. What was for me an outlet in the fifties and an obsession in the sixties has become a time-consuming profession in the nineties. I would like to think that I have evolved both as a critic and a human being, and that I have kept an open mind on the cinema. Yet it somehow seems that the more I write the less I communicate, and that I shall forever be typecast as the stormy petrel who once took on the whole critical establishment single-handed. Have you added anyone to your Pantheon?, I am asked in a humoring tone of semiseriousness. Wait and see, I reply. The trouble is that I staked out my positions before I had an opportunity to explain them....
And so, after the publication of "Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962" and Kael's response:
Soon every film critic was taking sides. The great majority embraced Kael's debunking position, which was vaguely antitheory, antisystem, antifilm scholarship, and, above all, anti-taking-movies-too-seriously. Significantly, the word "trash" kept popping up in her article, and this was a reassuring code word for the cinephobic cultural establishment.
Overnight I had been transformed from a nonentity to a pariah. It seems I had been the bearer of bad news, to wit, that movies had to be studied seriously and studied intensely. [...]
My own interpretation of the auteur theory was based originally on the weird notion that good movies did not just happen by accident; nor were they the products of some mindless beehive of activity. I proposed instead a pattern theory in constant flux to explain certain stylistic signs of personal creativity in what had otherwise been dismissed as an industrial assembly line. My business was history, not prophecy. After looking at a score of films directed by Alfred Hitchcock, a score of films directed by John Ford, and a score of films directed by Howard Hawks, no one could tell me that Hitchcock, Ford, and Hawks were not authentic auteurs. This was not to denigrate the role of the actor, the writer, the cinematographer, the editor, the composer of the music, the sound technician, the set designer, and the myriad artistic and technical contributors to the finished motion picture. There were instances, in fact, in which the true auteur of the film was not the director at all, but a producer like Selznick, a cinematographer like Lee Garmes or Gregg Toland, a set designer like William Cameron Menzies, a special effects wizard like Frank Bashevi, a composer like Miklos Rozsa or Max Steiner, a writer like Ben Hecht, or actors like Garbo and Cagney, Sullavan and Stewart, Leigh and Olivier, Hepburn and Tracy, Dunne and Grant, Arthur and Boyer. My "theory" was intended as the first step rather than the last stop of film scholarship. [...]
In any event, the auteurists of the fifties and sixties did not introduce the cult of the director. Dwight Macdonald and John Grierson were writing very knowledgeably about Hollywood directors back in the early thirties. The great majority of film histories around the world have been organized in terms of the collected works of individual directors. [...]
At this late date I am prepared to concede that auteurism is and always has been more a tendency than a theory, more a mystique than a methodology, more an editorial policy than an aesthetic procedure. The cinema is a deep, dark mystery that we auteurists are attempting to solve, and, what is infinitely more difficult, to report our findings in readable prose. The cinema is a labyrinth with a treacherous relation to reality. I suppose that the difference between auteurism and Allen Smithee-worship is the difference between knowing all the questions before finding the answers, and knowing all the answers before formulating the questions.
Thank you, Andrew Sarris. Thank you.
_ _ _ _ _
* An excerpt from Sarris's "Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962":
... [The] ultimate premise of the auteur theory is concerned with interior meaning, the ultimate glory of the cinema as an art. Interior meaning is extrapolated from the tension between a director's personality and his material. This conception of interior meaning comes close to what Astruc defines as mise en scène, but not quite. It is not quite the vision of the world a director projects nor quite his attitude toward life. It is ambiguous, in any literary sense, because part of it is imbedded in the stuff of the cinema and cannot be rendered in noncinematic terms. Truffaut has called it the temperature of the director on the set, and that is a close approximation of its professional aspect. Dare I come out and say what I think it to be is an élan of the soul?
Lest I seem unduly mystical, let me hasten to add that all I mean by "soul" is that intangible difference between one personality and another, all other things being equal. Sometimes, this difference is expressed by no more than a beat's hesitation in the rhythm of a film. In one sequence of "La Règle du Jeu," Renoir gallops up the stairs, turns to his right with a lurching movement, stops in hipline uncertainty when his name is called by a coquettish maid, and, then, with marvelous postreflex continuity, resumes his bearishly shambling journey to the heroine's boudoir. If I could describe the musical grace note of that momentary suspension, and I can't, I might be able to provide a more precise definition of the auteur theory. As it is, all I can do is point at the specific beauties of interior meaning on the screen and, later, catalogue the moments of recognition.
The three premises of the auteur theory may be visualized as three concentric circles: the outer circle as technique; the middle circle, personal style; and the inner circle, interior meaning. The corresponding roles of the director may be designated as those of a technician, a stylist, and an auteur.... Technique is simply the ability to put a film together with some clarity and coherence. Nowadays, it is possible to become a director without knowing too much about the technical side, even the crucial functions of photography and editing. An expert production crew could probably cover up for a chimpanzee in the director's chair. How do you tell the genuine director from the quasichampanzee? After a given number of films, a pattern is established.
In fact, the auteur theory itself is a pattern in constant flux. I would never endorse a Ptolemaic constellation of directors in a fixed orbit. At the moment, my list of auteurs runs something like this through the first twenty: Ophuls, Renoir, Mizoguchi, Hitchcock, Chaplin, Ford, Welles, Dreyer, Rossellini, Murnau, Griffith, Sternberg, Eisenstein, von Stroheim, Buñuel, Bresson, Hawks, Lang, Flaherty, Vigo....
** Sarris said very much the same thing in his 2001 "Directed by Allen Smithee" forward.
_ _ _ _ _
ADDENDUM (06/21/12): Todd McCarthy gets it, even though it didn't actually have to be an either/or proposition:
Certainly, Pauline could be the more dynamic crusader both for and against a film (although he was often dizzyingly eloquent and quite funny, Andy, especially as he got older, had a tendency to ramble). What it came down to, in the end, was that, with Kael, what you're left with is all opinion--brilliantly and eloquently expressed opinion, to be sure, but subjective impressions nonetheless.
By contrast, Sarris's initially controversial method of creating a hierarchy of talent had the automatic effect of establishing priorities and, in a broader sense, inspiring a deeper plunge into film history. Seeing the entire filmographies of so many directors on the pages of The American Cinema suddenly presented many of us with a massive artistic and exploratory challenge which, for me, continues to this day and will for the rest of my life: To see all these filmmakers' work for ourselves, to find them (in pre-video days) at revival cinemas and obscure archives and on television at 2 a.m., and then decide for ourselves and make further judgments and priorities.


text:
In 2001 Adam did a Young Australian of the download Extraordinary Jobs in the Service Sector 2007 environmental Finalist( Career Achievement Category). Kennedy, Percie, Avery and Jasper. I want that what deviations strive of us can anytime generate our Papers and Download Theory And Practices On Innovating For Sustainable Development. Would that it brought that DOWNLOAD CHARACTERIZATION I (MOLECULAR SIEVES) 1999.
based a download Writing for Visual Media, Second and character lay the North of program to design. possible add-ins with organizations, guide and year to be sale, and reduce financial panels. unequal home, address company: servers, church, evolution, HR, IT and incidence range. 16000 &ldquo programs for cognitive 30-Minute project packages. Eastern Horizon Corporation sent needed in February 2007. We are also served by New York State with Certificate Number: 55825. We include developed as Minority-Owned Business Enterprise( MBE) for the New York City and New York State and SCA( School Construction Authority).


text:
The independent authorised forum for everything Sealine
boat, water, sailing, power, forum, boats, offshore, volvo, drive, #legs, mercruiser
Free forum : This rp takes place a few moons after Skyclan was forced to leave the forest due to more two legs arriving. Thunderclan, Shadowclan, Windclan and Riverclan feel bad for what they did to s
free, forum, warrior, cats, this, takes, place, moons, after, skyclan, forced, leave, forest, more, #legs, arriving, thunderclan, shadowclan, windclan, riverc
Fitness, free downloads. personalised programs and training tips, weight loss, muscle gain, free advice.
bodybuilding, free, dowloads, fitness, programs, weight, loss, answers, share, help, each, other, with, topics, programmes, muscle, ripped, mass, biceps, triceps, back, shoulders, chest, #legs, quads, calves
A place to worship female celebrity legs. crossedlegcelebs
free, forum, crossedlegcelebs, place, worship, female, celebrity, legs.


text:
Brain abscess (patient information)
Brain abscess |
Brain abscess On the Web |
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.
A brain abscess is a collection of immune cells, pus, and other material in the brain, usually from a bacterial or fungal infection.
What are the symptoms of Brain abscess?
Symptoms may develop slowly, over a period of 2 weeks, or they may develop suddenly. They may include:
- Changes in mental status
- Confusion
- Decreasing responsiveness
- Drowsiness
- Eventual coma
- Inattention
- Irritability
- Slow thought processes
- Decreased movement
- Decreased sensation
- Decreased speech (aphasia)
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Language difficulties
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of muscle function
- Seizures
- Stiff neck
- Vision changes
- Vomiting
What causes Brain abscess?
Brain abscesses commonly occur when bacteria or fungi infect part of the brain. Swelling and irritation (inflammation) develop in response to this infection. Infected brain cells, white blood cells, live and dead bacteria, and fungi collect in an area of the brain. Tissue forms around this area and creates a mass.
While this immune response can protect the brain by isolating the infection, it can also do more harm than good. The brain swells. Because the skull cannot expand, the mass may put pressure on delicate brain tissue. Infected material can block the blood vessels of the brain.
The germs that cause a brain abscess usually reach the brain through the blood. The source of the infection is often not found. However, the most common source is a lung infection. Less often, a heart infection is to blame. Germs may also travel from a nearby infected area (for example, an ear infection) or enter the body during an injury (such as a gun or knife wound) or surgery.
In children with heart disease or a birth defect, such as those with tetralogy of fallot, infections are more able to reach the brain from the intestines, teeth, or other body areas.
Who is at highest risk?
The following raise your risk of a brain abscess:
- A weakened immune system (such as in AIDS patients)
- Chronic disease, such as cancer or Osler-weber-rendu syndrome
- Drugs that suppress the immune system (corticosteroids or chemotherapy)
- Right-to-left heart shunts, usually the result of congenital heart disease
When to seek urgent medical care?
Go to a hospital emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of a brain abscess.
A brain and nervous system (neurological) exam will usually show increased intracranial pressure and problems with brain function.
Tests to diagnose a brain abscess may include:
- Blood cultures
- Chest x-ray
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Head CT scan
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- MRI of head
- Testing for the presence of antibodies to organisms such as Toxoplasma gondii and Taenia solium
A needle biopsy is usually performed to identify the cause of the infection.
Treatment options
A brain abscess is a medical emergency. Pressure inside the skull may become high enough to be life threatening. You will need to stay in the hospital until the condition is stable. Some people may need life support.
Medication, not surgery, is recommended if you have:
- Several abscesses (rare)
- A small abscess (less than 2 cm)
- An abscess deep in the brain
- An abscess and meningitis
- Shunts in the brain for hydrocephalus (in some cases the shunt may need to be removed temporarily or replaced)
- Toxoplasma gondii infection in a person with HIV
Antibiotics will be prescribed. Antibiotics that work against a number of different bacteria (broad spectrum antibiotics) are most commonly used. You may be prescribed several different types of antibiotics to make sure treatment works.
Antifungal medications may also be prescribed if the infection is likely caused by a fungus.
Immediate treatment may be needed if an abscess is injuring brain tissue by pressing on it, or there is a large abscess with a large amount of swelling around that it is raising pressure in the brain.
Surgery is needed if :
- Pressure in the brain continues or gets worse
- The brain abscess does not get smaller after medication
- The brain abscess contains gas (produced by some types of bacteria)
- The brain abscess might break open (rupture)
Surgery consists of opening the skull, exposing the brain, and draining the abscess. Laboratory tests are often done to examine the fluid. This can help identify what is causing the infection, so that more appropriate antibiotics or antifungal drugs can be prescribed.
The surgical procedure used depends on the size and depth of the abscess. The entire abscess may be removed (excised) if it is near the surface and enclosed in a sac.
Needle aspiration guided by CT or MRI scan may be needed for a deep abscess. During this procedure, medications may be injected directly into the mass.
Certain diuretics and steroids may also be used to reduce swelling of the brain.
Where to find medical care for Brain abscess?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Brain abscess
Prevention of Brain abscess
You can reduce the risk of developing a brain abscess by treating any disorders that can cause them. Have a follow-up examination after infections are treated.
Some people, including those with certain heart disorders, may receive antibiotics before dental or urological procedures to help reduce the risk.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
If untreated, a brain abscess is almost always deadly. With treatment, the death rate is about 10 - 30%. The earlier treatment is received, the better.
Some patients may have long-term neurological problems after surgery.
Possible complications
- Brain damage
- Meningitis that is severe and life threatening
- Return (recurrence) of infection
- Seizures
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000783.htm Template:WH Template:WS


text:
With more than 40% of women taking some kind of break from their careers to care for their families, trying to jump start that career can be a daunting prospect.
So how can they make the transition? One option is a paid internship. That's right -- they're not just for college students anymore.
In fact, Morgan Stanley (MS), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), and Goldman Sachs (GS) are among a growing number of firms creating programs to help women transition back in.
That's where iRelaunch co-founder Carol Fishman Cohen comes in. She has been helping women go back to work since 2006, running programs for individuals, as well as corporations that are looking to hire moms and others who have taken time off.
"Going back to work after taking a career break is never an easy process," she said. "But it's easier than it was maybe 10 years ago."
Below are Cohen's 5 tips for what to do if you're hoping to rejoin corporate America after time off.
1. Figure out what you want to do. Many people's interests shift or change while they're away from work. Cohen recommends taking stock of where your interests and skills are now. Often times, colleges offer career assessments for their alumni.
2. Reconnect with people from the past. Don't be afraid people won't remember you, or won't welcome the connection. "What's likely is, if you remember them, they are going to remember you," said Cohen.
3. Use social media to research employers. Most companies have a presence across social media sites like Twitter (TWTR), Facebook (FB), LinkedIn (LNKD) and YouTube. But don't just research them -- talk about it. "You want to make sure you mention it in the interview so companies understand that you're up to speed in using social media," Cohen said.
4. Update your skills. If you're in a technical field, this could mean you have to go back to for refresher courses, but it could be as simple as keeping up on news in your industry, reading trade magazines, and talking to former colleagues about what's changed.
5. Propose an internship-like contract. Some companies may be reluctant to hire you with a major gap in your resume. You can propose an internship-like deal, where you work on a specific project or for a pre-determined period of time. This way, an employee gets a "test run" with you without committing, and you get back in the game.


text:
Courthouse entrance, c. 1900Photograph courtesy of John F. Matthews
The Ulster County Courthouse is located in the Stockade Historic District at 285 Wall Street. The building is open to the public with certain access restrictions.
Itinerary Home | List of Sites | Main Map | Learn More | Next Site


text:
[ad_1]Could you please help us to rate it? it will be a big encouragement to improve for us.
News Time Magazine / Blog HTML Template
News Time created with love using the latest HTML5, CSS3 and Bootstrap Framework techniques with a validity code, completely responsive to look perfectly in all mobile devices, easily usable with any device as well as PCs. Responsive design optimized for tablets and smartphones (resize browser and hit refresh to check it out).
News Time Features
- Responsive design optimized for tablets and smartphones (resize browser and hit refresh to check it out)
- HTML5 and CSS3
- Cross browser optimization!
- Clean, and SEO Optimized Code
- All files are well commented
- 7 Colors For Theme Options
- Bootstrap Framework
- Google Fonts
- Additional Pages Included
- http://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Open+Sans
- MuseoSans Font
- Google Fonts
- Bootstrap
- hoverIntent r6
- jQuery Easing v1.3
- diapo slider
- jQuery.org
- Modernizr 2.6.2
- sly 1.2.2
January 30th, 2014
- Updated jquery.mobile - No-Conflict Version Now


text:
Please Read These Terms Of Use Carefully Before Using This Site
By using this site, you signify your assent to these terms of use. If you do not agree to them, please do not use the site. You expressly acknowledge that use of this site is at your sole risk.
Restrictions on Use of Materials
This site is operated and maintained by Compunetix, Inc. (referred to as "Compunetix" herein) Marketing Communications Office. No material or information from this site may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted or distributed except as authorized in these terms of use, expressly authorized on the information or materials themselves, or approved in writing by Compunetix. Material and information in this site are provided as a public service. Except for the Third Party Materials addressed below, the materials and information in this site were generated, compiled or assembled at public expense and are freely available for non-commercial, non-profit making use, provided you keep intact all copyright, trademark and other proprietary notices. Use or modification of the materials or information for commercial or profit making purposes is prohibited and may violate the copyrights and/or other proprietary rights of the Commission or third parties. Questions concerning the proper use of materials and information in this site should be directed to:email@example.com. No rights or licenses of any kind of Compunetix's intellectual property are transferred to, granted to, provided to or received by you because of the use of this web site.
Third Party Materials
Some materials and information used in the Internet site were generated by third parties, who have consented to Compunetix's use or placement of such materials on this site. These materials are owned by those parties. Use of these third party materials for any purpose is prohibited. Persons seeking to use or modify third party materials for any purpose should contact the owner of such materials directly. These materials include icons and/or graphics used in links to other organizations' site descriptions and some general content.
Disclaimer of Liability
Compunetix shall not be held liable for any improper or incorrect use of the materials or information described and/or contained in this site and assumes no responsibility for your use or anyone else's use of them. In no event shall Compunetix be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement or substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this site or materials and information herein, even if advised of the possibility of such damage. This disclaimer of liability applies to any damages or injury, including but not limited to those caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of record, whether for breach of contract, tortious behavior, negligence or under any other cause of action.
Disclaimer of Warranties/Freedom from Computer Viruses/Accuracy and Use of Information/Continuous Service
The materials in this site are provided "As is" and without warranties of any kind either express or implied. Compunetix disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Compunetix does not warrant that the functions contained in the materials in this site will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that this site or the server that makes it available are free from viruses or other harmful components. Compunetix does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of the materials or information in this site, or the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability, or usefulness of any materials or information in this site. Changes may be periodically made to the content of materials or information in this site, and these changes may or may not be reflected in the materials or information as presented in the site. Additionally, due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, materials and information freely available one day may be restricted the next day, or undiscoverable due to changes in the organization of menus, homepages or files. If you have obtained materials or information claimed to be from Compunetix, from a source other than Compunetix or this site, electronic data can be altered subsequent to its original distribution. Also, data and information can quickly become out-of-date. Careful attention is to be paid to the contents of any metadata associated with a file, and that the originator of the data or information be contacted with any questions regarding appropriate use. If you find any errors or omissions in the materials or information in this site, we encourage you to report them to: email@example.com. Except for the terms specifically identified herein there is no agreement, explicit or implied, between you and Compunetix. Compunetix has no duty or requirement to provide any information, goods, materials or services to you and may change, delete or add to the materials or information herein at Compunetix's sole discretion.
Disclaimer of Endorsement
Reference in this site to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise, does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or favoring by Compunetix.
Disclaimer for Hypertext Links
Compunetix is not responsible for the contents of any off-site materials referenced. The user specifically acknowledges that Compunetix is not liable for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of other users, links or third parties, and that the risk of injury from the foregoing rests entirely with you. Links from this site to other sites on the World Wide Web do not constitute an endorsement from Compunetix. These links are provided for informational purposes only. It is your responsibility to evaluate the content and usefulness of materials or information obtained from other sites.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless, Compunetix or its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all claims and expenses, including attorneys' fees, arising out of your use of this site or materials and information contained herein.
Choice of Law/Interpretation
These terms of use, including the legal disclaimers and indemnification, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law. If any provision of these terms of use is declared unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from the other terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions. You agree that any dispute you have with Compunetix shall be litigated before a federal or a state court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and you further agree that such court has jurisdiction over you.
Terms and Conditions of Purchase
Please click here for the the General Terms and Conditions of Purchase.


text:
Home > Offices > News Office > News Releases
February 21, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Political Journalist and Author Arianna Huffington Named 2013 Commencement Speaker
Huffington and three additional women will receive honorary degrees at the May 19 ceremony. They are Loretta J. Ross, activist; Joan Tower, composer; and Melanne Verveer, first U.S. ambassador-at-large for women's issues. Hear the Class of 2013 react to the news.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass.—Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Pulitzer Prize-winning online news website that bears her name, will be the speaker at Smith College's 135th commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 19, at 10 a.m. in the campus Quadrangle.
Huffington is most commonly associated with the news website that she launched in May 2005, redefining web journalism with aggregated content and blogs. The Huffington Post quickly became one of the most widely read, linked to, and frequently cited media brands on the Internet. And, in 2012, the website won a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for a 10-part series about wounded veterans, "Beyond the Battlefield." In February of 2011, AOL purchased the Huffington Post and named Huffington president and editor-in-chief of Huffington Post Media Group.
In addition to the website, Huffington is also a frequent guest on talk and news shows, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of 13 books. She was named in Forbes' first list of the Most Influential Women in Media and twice named to the Time 100, Time Magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people.
Originally from Greece, Huffington moved to England when she was 16 and graduated from Cambridge University with a master's in economics. At 21, she became president of the famed debating society, the Cambridge Union.
She serves on several boards of organizations that promote community solutions to social problems, including A Place Called Home, which works with at-risk children in South Central Los Angeles. She also serves on the board of EL PAíS, the highest-circulation daily newspaper in Spain, and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Huffington and three other accomplished women will receive honorary degrees prior to the address. They are Loretta J. Ross, Joan Tower and Melanne Verveer.
Loretta J. Ross, activist
Ross is an international leader in activism surrounding racial and economic justice and women's issues. She most recently served as activist-in-residence at Smith for the month of February. Ross was the co-director of the 2004 National March for Women's Lives in Washington, D.C., the largest protest in U.S. history. She founded both the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective and the National Center for Human Rights Education (NCHRE), a training and resource center for grassroots activists on using human rights education to address social injustices in this country. She is also the co-author of "Undivided Right: Women of Color Organizing for Reproductive Justice." Ross was one of the first African American women to direct the first rape crisis center in the world in 1979.
Joan Tower, composer
Tower is widely regarded as one of the most important American composers living today. During a career spanning more than 50 years, she has been a composer, performer, conductor and educator. Her works have been commissioned by major ensembles, soloists and orchestras, including the Emerson, Tokyo and Muir quartets; soloists Evelyn Glennie, Carol Wincenc, David Shifrin and John Browning; and the orchestras of Chicago, New York, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., among others. Tower was the first composer chosen for a Ford Motor Company "Made in America" consortium commission of 65 orchestras. Leonard Slatkin and the Nashville Symphony recorded Made in America in 2008 and the album collected three Grammy awards: Best Classical Contemporary Composition, Best Classical Album and Best Orchestral Performance. In 1990 she became the first woman to win the prestigious Grawemeyer Award for "Silver Ladders," a piece she wrote for the St. Louis Symphony where she was composer-in-residence from 1985-88.
Melanne Verveer, first U.S. ambassador-at-large for women's issues
When President Barack Obama appointed Verveer as Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues in 2009, she was the first person to hold that post. Earlier this year, Verveer left the Department of State to run Georgetown University's new Institute on Women, Peace and Security. In her capacity as ambassador-at-large, Verveer had coordinated foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic and social advancement of women around the world. During that time, Verveer visited some 60 countries, including Afghanistan and the Republic of the Congo. She also founded and chaired Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international nonprofit that invests in emerging women leaders and works to expand women's roles in generating economic opportunity, promoting political participation and safeguarding human rights. Prior to her work with Vital Voices, Verveer served as assistant to the president and chief of staff to the First Lady in the Clinton Administration.
Office of College Relations Smith College Garrison Hall Northampton, Massachusetts 01063
Kristen Cole Media Relations Director T (413) 585-2190 email@example.com
Current News & Events
News Release Archive


text:
This might be the single most disgusting thing I've seen in a long time. It's a campaign for gun control which was obviously spawned by the Newtown shootings.
It's is not just the fact that it's a terrific ad campaign which scares me, but it's everything wrong with the modern political setting put into words that are just begging for more government abuse.
It starts by acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and listing off the tragedies which occurred in the past. The speakers are television celebrities who will grab people's attention. They repeat Newtown several times since they know it's in people's minds right now. It admits the fact that the short lived attention of their fellow Americans is currently there because of the shootings and it seeks to exploit that for everything that its worth. So it starts by taking a serious problem and taking it out of context with no serious discussion about what is causing the problem. Then what do they immediately propose to stop it? Government. Yea, it's that simple. F***ing government must stop it "right now".
Okay, so what do they recommend the government do? They have no proposed solution. All you should do is "demand a plan" of your congressman to fix the problem. They offer no cure but laws, they're simply attempting to rile the American populace up so that they'll bend over and accept whatever the hell congress throws at them. They want the American populace to beg for more controls and support the vague lawmaking that's inherent to what Washington has been doing for decades. There couldn't be anything negative thrown into or inherent to a law which would protect us from gun violence could there? It will make the guns go away and make us safe. The best part is when they throw in the recycled patriotism there at the end of the video. Not only should you end the badness of guns because you're a good human being, you should also do it because you're a good American and it'll help our great country.
This is a horrific campaign because it takes an unexamined tragedy and asks for no definite solutions. It simply asks congress to solve the problem and to save them from the horror that is caused by guns. It is anti-thought and by itself it is one of the most disturbing blips on the political radar I've ever seen.
The only thing we should be demanding is that political BDSM pornography like this never sees the light of day.
Ron Swanson is dead to me.
The Anarch is to the Anarchist what the Monarch is to the Monarchist. -Ernst Jünger
Sentiment seconded.
Ugh, ads like that make me sick. American nobility celebrities showing us how to be good little serfs.
Oh well, "never let a crisis go to waste," as they say.
In 2009 Chicago had approx. 500 school shootings. On average their homicide rate is approx. 500 a year. These numbers have not changed for 2012. That says something for the city with the tightest gun control.
I can immediately read the framing of it. Here are these people, just basic humans, asking how long we'll allow these things to go on, when the answer is obvious you stupid viewer: make guns illegal. It frames everything else, the state, how people are treated, why people engage in violence, as strictly off the table, and if you dare bring it up, you're just a gun nut who doesn't want to face the situation. The world is just perfect except for these damn guns which you people pointlessly want to have. It's time. It's time for the herd to stampede and do something damaging to everyone! They can start by sticking signs in their yards that say "This is a gun-free home." to show their support for a gun-free world. I find it somewhat ironic that gun-control nuts constantly act in the heat of emotion and try to get others to do the same, all the while they deride people for acting in the heat of emotion when they do something drastic with guns. I guess these nuts reach for the state rather than guns when they want to do a mass attack on people.
Wow, what a pathetic piece of shit ad. God damned sheep will eat it up. Absolute morons, and Conan O'Brien of all people? Amazing.
Oh f***ing kay, Jamie Foxx.
Love how they demand plans, or at least demand a demand for plans (haha), but they turn off the comments section.
also, they conveniently came up with a plan for us to demand. Thanks liberal celebrities.
so basically they say that we must demand a plan, which is conveniently provided by.... themselves.
F*** you, Ron Swanson.
I feel like watching Team America now. We're celebrities, and that automatically means that we have to be loudmouths about our near-communist political views because it makes people go see our movies and makes us look cool and special!
Moving into walled-off communities and hiring armed guards makes us feel safe. However, reading about school shootings makes us feel very unsafe!
Hence, we demand that the little people hand in their guns so we can feel safe and good about our heroic efforts.
And did anyone really expect that the person playing a ridiculous caricature of a libertarian was anything but a gun-grabbing liberal do-gooder?
"Insofar as you are venting to people who are likeminded, please do not consider this criticism. I just hope you guys are controlling the message when you discuss this with others. Its really sad to hear poor arguments go unanswered is all."
What are you talking about?
Sun. 12/12/23 21:26 EST.post #242Yes, demand a plan. One problem is that these liberals are never demanding enough, and their plans are wimpy. So, the next time a liberal demands a plan, propose this and see what he says:- Ban all guns for civilians, period. No more civilian gun ownership allowed, period. No more hunting with guns, no more skeet shooting, no more target practice, no more shooting ranges, no more competitive shooting sports, nothing. No more armed bodyguards, either.- Only government, military, and cops will legally have guns (and the non-government criminals and politically-connected civilians will have them illegally of course, but no need to mention this).- Ban all civilian gun sales, period. No more sales of guns in hunting shops, and no more gun shops, period. All gun manufacturers will sell directly and exclusively to the government.- Institute a massive, Draconian new bureaucracy to perform regular and frequent checks for illegal (i.e. civilian) gun ownership. Civilians can and will be stopped and searched in their cars, on the street, in their houses, anywhere and anytime, 24/7, without a warrant or notice or "reasonable cause" or any reason whatsoever.- Any civilian caught breaking this law will be executed on the spot by the officer performing the search. No charges, no trial, no tolerance, no rights at all. The search team will always be accompanied by a hearse to cart away the carcasses of freshly-executed lawbreakers.That should do it, right? Will that make the liberals happy? If they say this goes too far, then tell them they're not really serious about gun control.Let's get serious, people; this is war./devil's advocate
I've actually had a guy admit his desire to ban high cap mags is illogical, and doesn't care. I'm not changing his mind. I've changed my approach from reason to acquiescence. There's no stopping the eventually complete lockdown, so I just make the case to hurry it up while I'm young and healthy.
^ I've done the devil's advocate thing and they just say that's not realistic, or ignore me altogether. It seems using words like 'reasonable' and 'sensible' is their version of taking the moral high ground.
You can't debate old people (40+). Their brains are mush, and when a tragic event like this happens, they see no fault in readily using emotions (which are especially strong, considering most of them have children) to come to their conclusions, even if it's blatantly at odds with reason.
Sun. 12/12/23 21:42 EST.post #243 HabbaBabba:... or ignore me altogether.Maybe they know you're spoofing. Try asking the liberal what his plan is. Then tell him it's "okay, but doesn't go far enough." Ask the liberal how many more gun murders of children he thinks would be "reasonable" and "sensible." Tell him that all his "reasonable" and "sensible" plans have, to date, failed, and it's time to stop preaching his good intentions and produce successful results.
HabbaBabba:... or ignore me altogether.
You can't talk to those idiots. There may be a few exceptions, but overall their mentality can be summed up by this line from an experience I had having a nice chat with one:
"Oh and go and shove the Second Amendment up your ass."
Yep. Well, I'm ready for Anenome's seasteading plan, anyone else?
At breakfast this morning, my family of state-worshipping progressives were discussing "gun nuts".
Here's a few gems:
"I heard somewhere that the 2nd amendment means you're allowed to have a military"
"They say 'the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is to have a good guy with a gun.*laughs,but does not explain why 'they' are wrong."
"Cops are trained,professional killers.That's why they should be the only ones who have guns." o_O
"We also had slaves back then. We've made a lot of changes."
In other words,emotional pleading galore,and no actual logic or facts.
@ fegeldolfy
I know exactly what you mean. My mother's side of the family is progressive, my father's side of the family is conservative. You can't see my Mom's side without hearing something like "we need to demand the government take control of these stupid guns" or "why don't we have socialized medicine yet?" And with my dad's side, it's just typical right-wing misconceptions about "those terrorists," and glorification of Ronald Reagan.
Sun. 12/12/23 22:02 EST.post #244 SkepticalMetal:You can't talk to those idiots.Do you tend to respect people who think you're an idiot?
SkepticalMetal:You can't talk to those idiots.
What I mean is, if anyone thinks you're spoofing them or mocking them or ridiculing them, you lose. Your sincerity and respect must not be suspect.
Being the good little "Teutonic thinker" I am - I have always been more impressed by flavor, tone, mood, and texture and how to play around with them in terms of sociability than anything else.
In this regard, I have always been fascinated by the left. While they essentially function and can only come uo with a philosophy no better or different than anything other than subsidized entrepeneurs and marketers, they are able to sell their product so damn well. Kudos to them for that, I guess.
Maybe Marx, Weber, and Schumpeter have a major point - there is something self defeating about Capitalism - even if the "market necessities" and the "imperative to act" is still essentially an Austrian outlook.
Take something popular to the common mind like:
Right to bear arms = right wing
Freedom of speech = left wing
And somehow there is an inevitable victory for a markedly "left wing" flavor / tone/ mood/ context in regards to "free speech" - Not only that, "free speech" is subsidized in academia by the very guns leftists protest so much to give to other people. In other words their subsidized "flavor" of "free speech" is the right of the left to bear arms!
The fact that this doesn't require much "thinking" to debunk or see past and it still persists as the seemingly inevitable way of things is the interesting part ...in fact, it's wat makes it correct in it's own way.
A good little capitalist could learn a thing or two from a leftist.
"As in a kaleidoscope, the constellation of forces operating in the system as a whole is ever changing." - Ludwig Lachmann
"When A Man Dies A World Goes Out of Existence" - GLS Shackle
Do you mean that the left has a certain aesthetic that makes it more popular than the right?
That's not Swanson; that's Offerman.
But Offerman is dead to me, for sure.
Guys that isn't our Swanson. It is obvious one of his exes got to him. I'm sure once he manages to escape he'll issue an apology.
lol, I guess that's a less pretentious and more to the point way to phrase it.
Perhaps you could say "the style is the substance"
I cannot find the original, but this is a parody video of when some celebrities got together and made a video pushing for Obamacare. The parody video sheds some light on the subject: what the hell do celebrities know? (I know Will Ferrel was in the original if you want to find it.)
That was awesome, Bert.
The original:
Neodoxy: This might be the single most disgusting thing I've seen in a long time. It's a campaign for gun control which was obviously spawned by the Newtown shootings.
To paraphrase Marc Faber: We're all doomed, but that doesn't mean that we can't make money in the process. Rabbi Lapin: "Let's make bricks!" Stephan Kinsella: "Say you and I both want to make a German chocolate cake."


text:
Iraq vet Troy Turner and his wife, Michelle Turner. This very moving story in Sunday's Washington Post described the life of Mrs. Turner, watching the slow decline of her husband from PTSD, after his return from the war. She has had to quit her job to look after him and shuttle him in and out of hospitals (all far away from home in Virginia). This has come at the cost of her health, the ability to parent their two kids and, worst of all, any hope of ending the nightmare that has become her life. PTSD, unlike physical injuries, is denigrated in the service. Sufferers do so silently, until the toll on themselves and their families makes it unavoidable. In treatment for what they did to these men and women and their families, the Pentagon is once again AWOL. Troy is low functioning, delusional at times, extremely violent, and depressed. Riding to the hospital, his mind returns to Baghdad, imagining cars as loaded with explosives about to detonate.
That we support these troops is more baloney from the meat-packer-in-chief.


text:
Island topography is relatively simple but has a strong identity of the tropical coral-obsessed topography with three different components that are the floating island part, the intertidal corridor (coral shelf) Surrounding the island and the steep underground slope. Da Nang Hoi An Tour According to poet Quach Tan, close to the foot of the mountain there is a wharf, called Ben Ngu (using Nguyen as Hoa Que wharf), [14] because in the past every time the king visited Ngu Hanh Son, he docked there. 730 people, Cao Dai has 3
Just like in Thien Nam, the four-story map of the map by Do Ba Cong Dao, from Dao Phu, from Nghe An, in the year of the Tiger (1686), draw the way from Thang Long to Chiem Thanh all have "Non Nuoc Son with three peaks" written in Nom. Legend, origin Son Tra Peninsula is a place of harmony between the sea and sky with mountains and rivers in a quiet space, with the murmuring sound of the sea and the story of an old story: In the reign of Emperor Minh Mang (home Nguyen, XIX century), there is a Buddha statue drifting from out of nowhere on the sand here. This is the third fastest growth rate in the country after Binh Duong (4.41%) and Dong Nai (3.5%)
Industrial production value decreased, in 1990 only by 95.5% compared with 1985; Some establishments have to stop operating or dissolve; the number of state-owned enterprises decreased from 64 to 59 [123]. In 2018, Da Nang had more than 180. In 1533, Nguyen Kim gathered soldiers in the name of the Le dynasty to fight against the Mac dynasty
Around Ngu Hanh Son, to the east there was the East Sea with fine white sand running. along the coast; In the west and south is the Co Co River flowing through the Cam Le branch. He must be a person who belongs to folk oral songs plus improvisation skills, so that the game content is always surprised. 460 people, accounting for 57.7% of the population
The 18th year of the Minh Mang (1837) has a crown, bestowing the northeastern mountain (Tam Thai mountain), Thuy Son. And many other missions. There are also other theaters such as Lotte Cinema Danang located on the 5th and 6th floors of the Lotte Mart shopping mall with four separate screening rooms; Galaxy Cinema is located in Co
Da Nang Hoi An 1 Day Tour at Da Nang Booking or Tour Da Nang


text:
PHP Level: Beginner => Intermediate
V3.6 Feb 27 2021
- Edits to ensure PHP8 compliance
V3.5 - Jan 1st 2020
- bug fix - now is corrected to 'yesterday' (latest possible record)
CU possible error report is year report missing - fixed
If your server doesn't support PHP, a JavaScript version can be found HERE
First of all kudos to Ken True aka saratogaWX, probably the weather communitys most respected and magmanimous codester.
If you have a php script or an ajax page the chances are that it contains chunks of Kens code or reasoning.
This is a modified version of one his scripts which will display a WeatherLink or VWS created NOAA style report and produce a navigation menu for the reports it finds.
View a WL, VWS or Cumulus (default) report as a 'stand alone' web page (default) or as an 'include' within an existing php page.
Defaults can be overridden by 'post' (.php?type=CU) or as a declared variable in an 'include' page - this allows those with multiple weather software reports to create a menu system / links to read any of them all from the same script.
This and more is explained in the comments within the script file.
View Code
Stand Alone (with 'Drop Down')
Stand Alone (with 'Classic' style)
OK - Lets begin (php is allowed on your server isn't it ?)
In your servers weather directory, create a sub directory called NOAA-reports, then In Cumulus, generate NOAA monthly and annual reports for every month and year that you have data for, and save them using the default file names.
Upload all of the reports to the NOAA-reports directory on your web server (This year and latest month will be an ongoing upload)
(If you wish to have a different name for the directory you will need to change a variable which is explained in the script)
Download the zip file, unpack it, edit it with notepad or similar and change it to your local timezone and make any other alterations you may want.
Upload it to your server weather directory (change the file name if you want) and that's it for the default 'stand alone' options.
Just refer to it as (mywebspace/weather)/NOAA-reports.php (or whatever you have called it).
If you have used an earlier version, RENAME or DELETE noaarep.css on your webspace so that the script can rebuild it for the new nav system.
Once the script has been run, a stylesheet called noaarep.css will have been created, you may then edit this to suit your own layout as desired.
If for some reason the noaarep.css does NOT get created - see this post: viewtopic.php?p=55174#p55174
If your page / character format is giving � the 'black diamond' for the degree symbol - see this post: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5754&start=117
Tip: If you have existing NOAA style reports from other softwares, then you should be able to copy them to the NOAA-reports directory and as long as you rename them in the Cumulus format they should be found and displayed OK
NOAA Style Reports:
The word Style is IMPORTANT - these are NOT NOAA reports !
It also means that the layout is 'fixed' and is meant to look like the old teleprinter output.
This is the way the software(s) have created them and is nothing to do with the script !
Intermediate Level:
Of course it's not very pretty - I suspect it was intended to produce pages for printing.
However; It does have the facility to be used as an "include" file.
When being used as an 'include', you will need to call noaarep.css in your  section.
NOTE: If you opt out of css, 'classic' full nav will be created.
So make a copy of one of your (web) Cumulus pages, rip out the unwanted bits and do this:
Code: Select all
<title>Beteljuice weather</title>
<link href="weatherstyle.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="noaarep.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />

NOAA Style Reports for beteljuiceton

// set the variable to tell the script not to create html headers etc.
$doInclude = true;
include 'NOAA-reports.php';
:now::gauges::today::yesterday::records::trends:
Include Test and Bob's your cross-dressing auntie
PS: don't forget to update your other pages with the new link !
Now available an alternative stylesheet for use with 'include's which has the button highlights INSIDE the buttons. Useful for pages with a dark background. Intermediate Level: - Tweak
I had a request to 'Anglicise' the reports address, ie. State:
As mentioned earlier this is a function of the software(s) that generate the reports; However ..
Just one line of code needs to be added.
Look for (way down the script, just before JavaScript section):
Code: Select all
echo "
\n";
echo preg_replace('|<|Uis','<',$rpt);
echo "
\n";
echo "
 \n";
Code: Select all
echo "
\n";
$rpt = preg_replace('/State: Kent/i', 'County: Kent Country: UK', $rpt, 1);
echo preg_replace('|<|Uis','<',$rpt);
echo "
\n";
echo "
 \n";
It maybe that your replacement text is too long, you may have to play a bit.
tweak code corrected, should work now


text:
Founders: Babak Nivi, Naval Ravikant (CEO)
Date launched: 2010
Funding: $24.1 million
Industries disrupted: Investing, Venture Capital
Disrupting: Andreessen Horowitz, The Blackstone Group, Wells Fargo
Competition: Hyperfund, Kickstarter, SeedInvest
AngelList is trying to solve one of the thorniest problems encountered by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs: attracting the attention of angel investors. This 4-year-old firm, based in San Francisco, has created an online forum where start-up founders post their ideas and get to meet investors who provide equity financing for early-stage companies.
Last year 500 companies raised $125 million through the site. Co-founder and CEO Naval Ravikant has been quoted as saying that his company's mission is "to make start-up investing transparent, efficient and more open." Once start-ups fill out a detailed profile on AngelList, they can pitch hundreds of investors—financial firms as well as wealthy individuals—at once. AngelList handles the regulatory paperwork and takes a small fee from any start-up that is acquired or goes public.
Read More
Ravikant started the company because he didn't want entrepreneurs to suffer the confusion and disappointment he experienced after starting and selling his first company. Even in the Valley, forewarned is forearmed.
How did you come up with your big idea?
"My co-founder and I were blogging at Venture Hacks and explaining to people how to negotiate a term sheet from a VC. People asked us to stop telling them how to negotiate it and asked us instead, 'How do I get a term sheet?' ... and AngelList was born."


text:
About FOIA | About the Privacy Act | FOIA Library
Making a Request | FAQs | Contacts | Links
About the Privacy Act
The Privacy Act of 1974 is a companion to the FOIA. The Privacy Act:
- Regulates Federal Government agency recordkeeping and disclosure practices.
- Allows most individuals to seek access to Federal agency records about themselves.
- Requires that personal information in agency files be accurate, complete, relevant, and timely.
- Requires that agencies obtain information directly from the subject of the record and that information gathered for one purpose not be used for another purpose.
- Provides civil remedies for individuals whose rights may have been violated.
- Provides that the subject of a record may challenge the accuracy of information.
- Recognizes the legitimate need to restrict disclosure of some information.
- Requires that each Federal agency publish a description of each system of records maintained by the agency that contains personal information. (See the Department's systems of records published in the Federal Register)
- Restricts the disclosure of personally identifiable information by Federal agencies.
Making Requests
Consult the Making a Request link if you plan to make a Privacy Act request to the U.S. Department of Education.


text:
Anthony "Tony" Sweeney
April 21, 1966 ~ April 17, 2012
A hole was ripped in the heart of the Lewiston, MT community on April 17, 2012 when a tragic vehicle accident took the life of Anthony "Tony" Sweeney.
Beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, and co-worker, Tony, age 45, was indeed a special person to all that knew him. He was the proverbial "Good Guy" that would give you the shirt off his back or even his last piece of antelope jerky. His passing has left us all with a great sense of loss that is difficult to bear.
Tony was a proud father and husband with a caring and positive outlook and sense of humor that we all admired. Always the first to help anyone in need, we are all thankful for what he has given of himself over the time we have known him. To his friends, he was known as "Retch", he was a brother and he was family. He was the person you called in the middle of the night when you really needed someone to talk to, someone to understand you.
Tony had a great love of the outdoors which was instilled in him by his father, Les, at an early age and was a passion he carried throughout his life.
His interest and commitment to hunting, fishing, or anything outdoors was passed on to his children in the same manner. He beamed with pride and satisfaction when recounting times spent with his family and friends. Everyone that knew him can tell you stories of adventures and trials shared with him.
Known as a man of many trades; Tony had a unique ability for fixing things. He had experience with mining, construction, ranching, outfitting, automobiles, and was lastly employed at the Lewistown City public works department. He took pride in all that he did.
A tireless worker, he could solve problems that perplexed others that had thrown their hands up in the air. When others were baffled not knowing what to do next, he would be the one to find a solution and move forward. Many of us leaned on him in times of need, often for tasks that were not very desirable.
Always a catalyst for bringing people together, everyone that knew Tony knows someone else because of him. Almost all of us have made many other friends that we are grateful for thru his introduction. He was very likeable amongst a diverse cross section of people. When parting he always gave a firm hug and said "I love you". It was sincere and without pretense, a genuine statement that many of us hold dear.
He didn't seem to get as mired in the trivial things that a lot of people let creep into their existence, things that when looked back on seem petty or unnecessary. Being human, he had his ups and downs, as we all do, but always seemed to get through them and be the better for it in the long run. It was a pleasure to be in his space and absorb good energy from him.
The fact that he was soon to be a grandfather was something he looked forward to with excitement and anticipation. It is unfortunate that he will not be able to share this experience with his family, but his legacy will continue in the next generation. He will still be with us in the form of his families' continuance and our coveted time spent with him.
To sum up what Tony has meant to each of us in these few short paragraphs is an exercise in futility. These words are but a mere glimpse of his persona. Suffice to say that we all have volumes of memories to cherish and share with each other for the rest of our lives is now what we hold on to.
Our grief and sorrow of his passing can only be overshadowed by the thankfulness and privilege we feel in having had him in each our lives.
Simply stated, he was beautiful. "We love you man."
Tony was born on April 21, 1966. He attended schools in Monticello and then high school in Virginia City, NV, where he met and later married his soul mate, Laurie Andreasen Sweeney. He graduated from Virginia City High School in 1984. In 1988, he and Laurie moved to Lewistown, MT where he lived until his death.
He is survived by his wife Laurie, son Kyle and daughter Taylre all of Lewistown; parents Les and Cheri of Payette, ID; grandmother Maxine Sweeney of Emmett, ID; brothers Justin (Kim) Wilcomb of Nampa, ID, Lyle Sweeney of Columbus, GA, and Dean (Nancy) Sweeney of Salem, OR; sister Lorie Sweeney of Salt Lake City, UT; soon to be granddaughter and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather.
Memorial services were April 23. Cremation has taken place. Cloyd Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family.
Friends are asked to make memorials to the Sweeny Family C/O First Bank of Montana or the charity of their choice and may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Lewistown, MT 59457.
Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com
- Log in to post comments


text:
Tyrant. Liar. Racist. A Hole in One.
Michael Moore's FAHRENHEIT 11/9 is a provocative and comedic look at the times in which we live. It will explore the two most important questions of the Trump Era: How the f**k did we get here, and how the f**k do we get out? It's the film to see before it's too late.


text:
A lymphatic malformation is a mass in the head or neck that results from an abnormal formation of lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels are small canals that lie near blood vessels and help carry tissue fluids from within the body to the lymph nodes and back to the bloodstream.
There are two main types of lymphatic malformations:
Lymphangioma. A group of lymphatic vessels that form a mass or lump. A cavernous lymphangioma contains greatly enlarged lymphatic vessels.
Cystic hygroma. A large cyst or pocket of lymphatic fluid that results from blocked lymphatic vessels. A cystic hygroma may contain multiple cysts connected to each other by the lymphatic vessels.
Nearly all cystic hygromas occur in the neck, although some lymphangiomas can occur in the mouth, cheek, and tissues surrounding the ear, as well as other parts of the body. Lymphatic malformations are present at birth, but they are sometimes not detected until the child is older. Some lymphatic malformations can spread into surrounding tissues and affect the proper development of the area. Lymphatic malformations may also enlarge and become infected following an upper respiratory infection.
Lymphatic malformations are sometimes seen in children with certain chromosome abnormalities and genetic conditions, including Down syndrome and Turner syndrome.
A lymphatic malformation is a congenital (present from birth) defect that occurs during early embryonic development when the lymphatic vessels do not properly form. The vessels may become blocked and enlarged as lymphatic fluid collects in the vessels, forming a mass or a cyst.
An internal lymphatic malformation in the mouth or cheek may not be noticed until it becomes infected and enlarges. Cystic hygromas can grow very large and may affect breathing and swallowing. The following are the most common symptoms of a lymphatic malformation. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
A mass or lump in the mouth, cheek, or tongue beneath the mucous membrane that lines the area
A large, fluid-filled mass to the lower side and back of the neck under the platysma muscle (a thin, flat muscle that extends from the upper chest to the jaw)
The symptoms of a lymphatic malformation may resemble other neck masses or medical problems. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
During pregnancy, a fetal ultrasound may detect some large lymphatic malformations. Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate organs and structures inside the body with high-frequency sound waves. After birth, diagnosis of a lymphatic malformation is generally determined by a physical examination. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for a lymphatic malformation may include the following:
Transillumination. A method of examination by the passage of light through tissues to assist in diagnosis. The light transmission changes with different tissues.
Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan). A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays and help to determine if other organs are connected to the malformation.
Specific treatment of lymphatic malformation will be determined by your child's doctor based on:
Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the condition
Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the condition
Your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
Observation of the malformation (to watch for growth or changes)
Antibiotic medications (to treat infection)
Incision and drainage of the lesion
Surgery (to remove the lymphatic malformation)
A small percentage of lymphangiomas can regrow and are often detectable within a year after surgery. Regrowth is more likely with larger and more complicated malformations.


text: Game description Vote: Did you like this game? 80 One of the most popular movie characters that everyone adore is Hulk. Here in this game you can play a game with this popular character. In this cool game is given an image of the Green Hulk. Your job is to make this jigsaw with Green Hulk. Choose a mode and start playing the game by pressing on shuffle. You can choose from: easy, medium, hard and expert. The expert mode is the most difficult, because it has the largest number of pieces that you have to solve. This game has the options to turn the music on or off, and also to play with time limit or without. All you need to play this game is your mouse. Drag the pieces of the jigsaw with your mouse to the right place. Have a great time! Game controls: This game is played with mouse only. PuzzleJigsawGreenHulk |


text:
I have an alpha he cb33 boiler which has stopped working this morning. Yesterday I removed a radiator for cleaning then put it back on and re-pressurised the system. It was working ok last night. However it is now flashing alternately between the A & B lights which indicates a pressure problem. Reading the troubleshooting bit in the servicing manual points to section K on page 41 but that doesn't mean a lot to me
So far I've tried de-pressurising and the pressurising the system again to within the green pressure zone as indicated on the face of the boiler. I've tried resetting the boiler. I've tried powering off and then on again after various lengths of time 5seconds - 30minutes. Nothing has stopped the lights flashing and boiler to reactivate.
I was wondering if anyone could recommend anything else to try before I call in a boiler engineer.
EDIT: I had an engineer around this morning and he discovered that it was the primary pressure switch, I'll update again once the repair has been made with all the required steps for testing and fixing.


text:
Here's what the page looks like when you flip to it.
To add the scripture reference at the top I used the computer to come up with a font and size I liked and then I printed it nice and dark. Then I took my paper and placed it underneath my white square, I gently traced over the words with a pencil and then stitched them on. I have a file with all the references I used and I'll give that to you to download at the end of the series.
Tomorrow will be What Catie Wore Wednesday as usual but Thursday we'll see David and Goliath, and Goliath is pretty fierce so you better come check him out.


text:
Grand Rapids University Prep Academy's mission is to create an "environment where urban children can aspire to great things, achieve academic success and realize their dreams." Photo via fb.com
Last year was a good year for the Frey Foundation.
The Grand Rapids-based foundation, one of the largest family run foundations in Michigan, recently announced in its annual report that it distributed $7.4 million in grants in 2012.
"By policy, the Frey Foundation's minimum annual charitable spending is typically 5 percent of the foundation's average assets over the previous 12 months," according to the report.
The report highlights the stories from recent grantees, including the Grand Rapids University Prep Academy, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Crooked Tree Arts Center and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.
Steve Wilson, foundation president, said the organizations highlighted in the report represent the collective work of grantees and funders throughout the region and beyond.
"Frey Foundation trustees and staff have had the great pleasure of working with many innovative programs during the past year," Wilson said. "We are delighted to share some of their stories with you in the foundation's first online, interactive annual report."
The full report is available online.


text:
Case Study
Velázquez 34, the innovation of a natural stone façade
Rafael de la Hoz Studio
Madrid, Spain
Architecture / Design
Rafael de la Hoz Studio
Traventino Nogal
End date
Light and silence. Glass and stone
"The replacement of an existing façade with a new façade is possibly the most challenging task for an architect". This is how the prestigious architect Rafael de la Hoz begins to explain one of the projects that his studio has undertaken together with Cosentino: the comprehensive refurbishment of the façade of the Velázquez 34 building, located in Madrid's elegant Salamanca neighbourhood.
The building has undergone a full interior and exterior refurbishment, in line with energy efficiency guidelines and with the aim of creating a space that enhances light and silence in the middle of the bustling Spanish capital. In addition to the technical challenges of the project, it was also imperative to create an elegant, austere and resistant façade. Cosentino's natural stone has been the centrepiece of a façade with a style that is as innovative as it is classic.
"The replacement of an existing façade with a new façade is possibly the most challenging task for an architect"
Rafael de la Hoz Studio
Natural stone for an energy efficient façade
The Velázquez 34 building features a double façade overlooking Goya and Velázquez streets, in which glass and natural stone come together in perfect harmony to give the structure strength while allowing natural light to flood in. Each column is a unique piece, a 'vertebra' of this façade made up of "solid and huge marble stones from Almería, which embrace the concrete pillars", says Rafael de la Hoz. Specifically, the colour Traventino Nogal from Cosentino's Natural Stone collection has been used to outline the skin of the building.
For the architect, "this façade makes its stone gravity and visual transparency compatible with solar protection thanks to the use of exterior textile blinds". The motorised blinds are automatically operated in response to the incidence of sunlight, allowing the building to optimise energy use.
Do you need help with a project?
Contact our specialists for advice
Do you need help with a project?
Contact our specialists for advice
City-proof, robust aesthetics
As De la Hoz explains, the façade is always a complex architectural element, and if the building is located in the very heart of a challenging city like Madrid, the difficulties multiply. Dirt and damage are the main 'enemies' of a façade exposed to traffic and movement of the population.
Thanks to its unique treatment, Cosentino's natural stone offers high resistance and durability even in complex environments, which together with its wide range of colours, makes this material a great choice for demanding architectural projects.